Non-volatile memory device

ABSTRACT

A non-volatile memory device is provided. The non-volatile memory device includes a channel structure that is located on a substrate and extends perpendicularly to the substrate, a conductive pattern that extends perpendicularly to the substrate and is spaced apart from the channel structure, an electrode structure that is located between the channel structure and the conductive pattern, and comprises a plurality of gate patterns and a plurality of insulation patterns that are alternately laminated. An insulating layer that contacts with a top surface of the conductive pattern is formed along side surfaces of the electrode structure. The top surface of the conductive pattern is formed to be lower than the top surface of the channel structure.

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2015-0136347 filed on Sep. 25, 2015 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The herein disclosed subject matter relates to a non-volatile memorydevice.

BACKGROUND

A semiconductor memory device is a storage device that is achieved usinga semiconductor material typically from the Group IV elements orcompounds such as, silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium arsenide (GaAs)or indium phosphide (InP) and the like. Semiconductor memory devices arelargely classified into volatile memory devices and non-volatile memorydevices.

In a volatile memory device saved data disappears when the supply of apower source cuts off. Types of volatile memory devices include a staticRAM (SRAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) and the like.In a non-volatile memory device the saved data is maintained even whenthe supply of a power source cuts off. Types of non-volatile memorydevices include a flash memory device, a read only memory (ROM), aprogrammable ROM (PROM), an electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a resistive memorydevice (e.g., a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), aresistive RAM (RRAM) and the like.

To satisfy the consuming public's demand for high performance and lowpriced semiconductor memory devices has led to increasing degrees of theintegration of non-volatile memory devices. However, in the case of atwo-dimensional or planar memory device, the degree of integration islimited by an area occupied by a unit memory cell. Thus,three-dimensional memory devices with vertically disposed unit memorycells have been recently developed.

Prior art memory cells are formed with common source line structureswhich extend perpendicularly from the substrate to a height of equal toor beyond that of adjacent channel structures. During the formation ofthese prior art devices a slit can be formed within the common sourceline structure. Moreover, during the memory cell formation processes, aconcentration of F-gas can be generated which fills the slit. The filledslit can thereafter cause stress within the formed memory cell whichincreases the failure rate.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present exemplary implementations of the herein describedsubject matter provide a non-volatile memory device with improvedreliability by removing a slit generated in a common source line and byreducing stress.

According to exemplary implementations of the herein described subjectmatter, there is provided a non-volatile memory device comprising achannel structure that is located on a substrate and extendsperpendicularly to the substrate, a conductive pattern that extendsperpendicularly to the substrate and is spaced apart from the channelstructure, an electrode structure that is located between the channelstructure and the conductive pattern, and comprises a plurality of gatepatterns and a plurality of insulation patterns that are alternatelylaminated; and an insulating layer that is in contact with a top surfaceof the conductive pattern and is formed along side surfaces of theelectrode structure, wherein the top surface of the conductive patternis formed to be lower than the top surface of the channel structure.

In some exemplary implementations, the top surface of the conductivepattern is formed to be higher than the top surface of the substrate.

In some exemplary implementations, the non-volatile memory devicefurther comprises a spacer that is disposed between the conductivepattern and the electrode structure and is formed along side surfaces ofthe conductive pattern and side surfaces of the insulating layer, and abottom surface of the conductive pattern is formed to be lower than abottom surface of the spacer.

In some exemplary implementations, the plurality of gate patternscomprises first to n-th gate patterns (n is a natural number) that aresequentially laminated in a direction away from the substrate, and a topsurface of the conductive pattern is disposed between the k-th gatepattern (k is a natural number smaller than n) and the k+1st gatepattern.

In some exemplary implementations, the non-volatile memory devicefurther comprises a first interlayer insulating film that covers thechannel structure and the electrode structure; and a metal contactstructure that is in contact with the top surface of the conductivepattern through the first interlayer insulating film.

In some exemplary implementations, the non-volatile memory devicefurther comprises a second interlayer insulating film that covers thefirst insulating interlayer film a first conductive stud that isdisposed on the metal contact structure through the second interlayerinsulating film and a second conductive stud that is disposed on thechannel structure through the first and second interlayer insulatingfilms.

In some exemplary implementations, the first conductive stud and themetal contact of the metal contact structure are integrally formed.

According to an exemplary implementation, there is provided anon-volatile memory device comprising a plurality of channel structuresthat are located on a substrate and extend perpendicularly to thesubstrate, a conductive pattern that extends perpendicularly to thesubstrate and is spaced apart from the channel structure, a firstinterlayer insulating film that covers the plurality of channelstructures and the conductive pattern. A metal contact, disposed on theconductive pattern, is electrically connected to the conductive pattern,passes through the first interlayer insulating film, and has a bottomsurface formed to be lower than top surfaces of the plurality of channelstructures.

In some exemplary implementations, a top surface of the conductivepattern is formed to be higher than a top surface of the substrate andto be lower than the top surfaces of the plurality of channelstructures.

In some exemplary implementations, the plurality of channel structuresis disposed in a honeycomb shape.

In some exemplary implementations, the plurality of channel structurescomprises a dummy channel structure and an active channel structure, andthe dummy channel structure closest to the metal contact is disposed tobe closer to the metal contact than the active channel structure.

In some exemplary implementations, the conductive pattern comprises afirst portion including the metal contact, and a second portion adjacentto the first portion, and a width of the first portion measured in afirst direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate is largerthan a width of the second portion measured in the first direction.

According to an exemplary implementation, there is provided anon-volatile memory device comprising first and second channelstructures that are located on a substrate and extend perpendicularly tothe substrate, a conductive pattern that extends perpendicularly to thesubstrate and is spaced apart from the channel structures, a firstinterlayer insulating film that covers the plurality of channelstructures and the conductive pattern, a second interlayer insulatingfilm that covers the first interlayer insulating film, a metal contactthat is disposed on the conductive pattern and penetrates through thefirst interlayer insulating film, a first conductive stud that isdisposed on the metal contact, penetrates through the second interlayerinsulating film and is electrically connected to the conductive patternand a second conductive stud that is disposed only on the first channelstructure, is not disposed on the second channel structure andpenetrates through the first and second interlayer insulating films.

In some exemplary implementations, a distance between the first channelstructure and the metal contact is larger than a distance between thefirst channel structure and the metal contact.

In some exemplary implementations, wherein the top surface of theconductive pattern is formed to be lower than the top surface of thechannel structure.

However, exemplary implementations are not restricted to the ones setforth herein. The above and other exemplary implementations will becomemore apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the hereindescribed subject matter pertains by referencing the detaileddescription of the exemplary implementations given below.

Other specific matters of the exemplary implementations are included inthe detailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a non-volatile memorydevice according to some exemplary implementations.

FIG. 2 is a layout diagram for explaining a non-volatile memory deviceaccording to some exemplary implementations.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an area TS1 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views for explaining some applicationexamples of the non-volatile memory device according to some exemplaryimplementations.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a non-volatile memorydevice according to some exemplary implementations.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a non-volatile memorydevice according to some exemplary implementations.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating the non-volatilememory device according to some exemplary implementations.

FIG. 12 is a layout diagram for explaining a non-volatile memory deviceaccording to some exemplary implementations.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram for illustrating a memory system according tosome exemplary implementations.

FIGS. 15 through 25 are intermediate step diagrams for illustrating amethod of manufacturing a non-volatile memory device according to someexemplary implementations.

The above and other aspects and features of the exemplaryimplementations will become more apparent by describing in detailexemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Advantages and features of the exemplary implementations and methods ofaccomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description of preferred embodiments and theaccompanying drawings. The exemplary implementations may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as beinglimited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete andwill fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in theart, and the present inventive concepts will only be defined by theappended claims.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated forclarity. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referredto as being “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly connected to or coupled to another element or layer orintervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directlycoupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elementsor layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being“on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layeror substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element,there are no intervening elements present.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another element. Thus, for example, a first element, afirst component or a first section discussed below could be termed asecond element, a second component or a second section without departingfrom the teachings of the present inventive concept.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the inventive concept (especially in the contextof the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singularand the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,”and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning“including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this inventive concept belongs. It is noted that theuse of any and all examples, or exemplary terms provided herein isintended merely to better illuminate the inventive concept and is not alimitation on the scope of the inventive concept unless otherwisespecified. Further, unless defined otherwise, all terms defined ingenerally used dictionaries may not be overly interpreted.

In some exemplary implementations a three-dimensional (3D) memory arrayis provided. The three-dimensional memory array may be monolithicallyformed in one or more physical layers of a memory cell array that has anelectrical circuitry associated with the operation of the memory cell,and an active area formed on a silicon substrate. The associatedelectrical circuitry may be formed inside or on the substrate. The term‘monolithic’ may mean that layers of each level of the array aredirectly placed on the layers of each lower levels of the array.

In some exemplary implementations, the three-dimensional memory arraymay include a ‘vertical NAND string’ in which at least one memory cellis disposed on the other memory cell and vertically extends. At leastone memory cell may include a charge storage film. The three-dimensionalmemory array may include bit lines and/or word lines shared between thelevels, and a plurality of levels.

Hereinafter, a non-volatile memory device according to some exemplaryimplementations will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 25.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a non-volatile memorydevice according to some embodiments of the present inventive concept.FIG. 2 is a layout diagram for explaining a non-volatile memory deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. FIG. 3 is across-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is across-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is across-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is anenlarged view of an area TS1 of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, a memory cell array of a non-volatile memory deviceaccording to some embodiments of the present inventive concept mayinclude a plurality of memory blocks (BLK1 to BLKn; where n is a naturalnumber).

Each of the memory blocks BLK1 to BLKn may extend in first to thirddirections (x, y and z). The memory blocks BLK1 to BLKn may bethree-dimensionally arranged. As illustrated, the first to thirddirections (x, y and z) may be directions intersecting with each otheror may be directions different from each other. For example, the firstto the third directions (x, y and z) may be, but not limited to,directions intersecting with each other at right angles.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, each of the memory blocks (BLKi, where 1≦I≦n,i is a natural number) may include channel structures 120 and 130, anelectrode structure 110, a conductive pattern 220, an insulating layer230, metal contact structures 310 and 315, a first interlayer insulatingfilm 170, a second interlayer insulating film 180, a first conductivestud 325 and a second conductive stud 425 that are formed on a substrate100.

The substrate 100 may include a semiconductor substrate such as asilicon substrate, a germanium substrate or a silicon-germaniumsubstrate, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate or agermanium-on-insulator (GOI) substrate.

The electrode structure 110 may include a plurality of gate patterns(GSL, WL0 to WLn and SSL) and a plurality of insulation patterns 112that are located between the channel structures 120 and 130 and theconductive pattern 220 and are alternately laminated. Specifically, theelectrode structure 110 may include a plurality of insulation patterns112, a plurality of gate patterns (GSL, WL0 to WLn and SSL) (where, n isa natural number) and a block layer 114. The gate insulating layer 120may include a tunnel layer 121 and a trap layer 122.

The plurality of insulation patterns 112 may be sequentially laminatedon the substrate 100 to be spaced apart from each other in a directionaway from the substrate 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each of theplurality of insulation patterns 112 may be formed so as to extend longin a direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate 100. Theinsulation pattern 112 may be, but not limited to, oxide.

A plurality of gate patterns (GSL, WL0 to WLn and SSL) may be disposedbetween the plurality of insulation patterns 112. The plurality of gatepatterns (GSL, WL0 to WLn and SSL) is formed long in a directionparallel to the top surface of the substrate 100, and may be laminatedin a direction away from the substrate 100.

In some exemplary implementations of the herein described subject matterthe lowest gate pattern GSL may be provided as a ground selection line(hereinafter, referred to as GSL), and the highest gate pattern SSL maybe provided as a string selection line (hereinafter, referred to asSSL). The gate patterns (WL0 to WLn) between the GSL and the SSL may beprovided as word lines.

A plurality of gate patterns (GSL, WL0 to WL and SSL) may be formed of aconductive material, for example, a conductive material such as tungsten(W), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) or a semiconductor material such assilicon, but are not limited thereto.

The block layer 114 may be disposed between the channel structures 120and 130 and the plurality of gate patterns (GSL, WL0 to WLn and SSL).The block layer 114 may be formed to extend long in the direction awayfrom the substrate 100. The block layer 114 may be formed in a directionparallel to the substrate 100 in a zigzag form.

At this time, a non-volatile memory cell TS1 may be defined in a regionin which the channel structures 120 and 130 intersect with the pluralityof gate patterns (GSL, WL0 to WLn and SSL). Details of the non-volatilememory cell TS1 will be described below referring to FIGS. 6 to 8.

The channel structures 120 and 130 are formed to extend long in thedirection away from the substrate 100. Specifically, the channelstructures 120 and 130 are disposed on the substrate 100 in the form ofa pillar and are formed to penetrate through the plurality of laminatedinsulation patterns 112. Each of the plurality of gate patterns (GSL,WL0 to WLn and SSL) may be formed between the plurality of laminatedinsulation patterns 112. The plurality of gate patterns (GSL, WL0 to WLnand SSL) may be formed to intersect with the channel structures 120 and130. Although the plurality of gate patterns (GSL, WL0 to WLn and SSL)has been described to have the same thickness, the present inventiveconcept is not limited thereto, and the plurality of gate patterns mayalso have thicknesses different from each other.

The channel structures 120 and 130 may include a channel pattern 130 anda gate insulating layer 120.

The channel pattern 130 may be formed to extend perpendicularly to thesubstrate 100. The channel pattern 130, for example, may be asemiconductor material such as single crystal silicon, but it is notlimited thereto. Although it is not clearly illustrated in the drawings,the channel pattern 130 may have a hollow cylindrical shape, a cupshape, a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, a solid pillar shapeor the like.

The gate insulating layer 120 may be formed to wrap the side surfaces ofthe channel pattern 130. The gate insulating layer 120 may beconformally formed in a lengthwise direction of the channel pattern 130.The top surface of the channel pattern 130 and the top surface of thegate insulating layer 120 may be located on the same plane.

The gate insulating layer 120 may include a tunnel layer 121 and a traplayer 122. That is, the tunnel layer 121 and the trap layer 122 may bedisposed along the lengthwise direction of the channel patterns 130. Thetunnel layer 121 and the trap layer 122 may be disposed between theplurality of gate patterns (GSL, WL0 to WLn and SSL) and the channelpattern 130. Specifically, for example, the tunnel layer 121 and thetrap layer 122 may be formed along the channel pattern 130 to penetratethrough the plurality of insulation patterns 112.

The tunnel layer 121 is a portion through which electric charge passes,and for example, may be formed by a silicon oxide film or a double layerof the silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film.

The trap layer 122 is a portion in which the electric charge afterpassing through the tunnel layer 121 is stored. For example, the traplayer 122 may be formed of a nitride film or a high dielectric constant(high-k) film. The nitride film, for example, may contain one or more ofsilicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, hafnium oxynitride, zirconiumoxynitride, hafnium silicon oxynitride or hafnium aluminum oxynitride.The high dielectric constant film, for example, may contain one or moreof hafnium oxide, hafnium silicon oxide, lanthanum oxide, lanthanumaluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, zirconium silicon oxide, tantalumoxide, titanium oxide, barium strontium titanium oxide, barium titaniumoxide, strontium titanium oxide, yttrium oxide, aluminum oxide, leadscandium tantalum oxide or lead zinc niobate.

As shown in FIG. 6, the block layer 114 may be disposed between aninsulation pattern (112 a in FIG. 6) disposed on the upper side and thegate pattern (WL1 in FIG. 6), between an insulation pattern (112 b inFIG. 6) disposed on the lower side and the gate pattern WL1, and betweenthe channel pattern 130 (or the trap layer 122) and the electrode WL1.The block layer 114 may be conformally formed depending on the shapes ofthe insulation patterns 112 a and 112 b and the channel pattern 130.

The block layer 114 may be a single layer or multiple layers. The blocklayer 114 may include silicon oxide or insulating metal oxide having adielectric constant greater than silicon oxide. For example, the blocklayer may be formed of a composite layer that is laminated by ahigh-dielectric constant material such as aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide,lanthanum oxide, tantalum oxide, titanium oxide, lanthanum hafniumoxide, lanthanum aluminum oxide or dysprosium scandium oxide, orcombinations thereof. A case where there is a single block layer 114 isillustrated in the drawings, but it is not limited thereto. For example,the block layer 114, for example, may be a laminate of silicon oxide andaluminum oxide.

Meanwhile, the configurations of the tunnel layer 121, the trap layer122 and the block layer 114 illustrated in FIG. 6 are merely an example.For example, the tunnel layer 121, the trap layer 122 and the blocklayer 114 may be disposed along the lengthwise direction of the channelpattern 130. This will be described below in detail with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8.

A channel pad 135 may be formed on the channel structures 120 and 130. Abottom surface of the channel pad 135 may be in contact with the topsurfaces of the channel structures 120 and 130. The channel pad 135, forexample, may contain polysilicon doped with impurities.

The top surface of the channel pad 135 may be disposed on the same planeas the top surface of the electrode structure 110. At this time, ahighest surface of the gate insulating layer 120 and a highest surfaceof the block layer 114 may be disposed on the same plane as the topsurface of the channel pad 135. However, the present inventive conceptis not limited thereto.

The conductive pattern 220 may be disposed on the substrate 100 toextend perpendicularly to the substrate 100 and to be spaced apart fromthe channel structures 120 and 130. In this example, the conductivepattern 220 is in contact with the substrate 100 and is embedded in atrench formed in the substrate 100. The conductive pattern 220 mayoperate as a common source line (CSL).

The conductive pattern 220 may be located within the first trench 201which penetrates through the electrode structure 110. The conductivepattern 220 may be disposed between different electrode structures 110.The top surface of the conductive pattern 220 may be formed to be higherthan the top surface of the substrate 100 and to be lower than the topsurfaces of the channel structures 120 and 130.

The top surface of the conductive pattern 220 may be formed to be lowerthan one surface of the plurality of gate patterns. Specifically, whenthe electrode structure 110 includes first to n-th gate patterns (WL0 toWLn) that are sequentially laminated in a direction away from thesubstrate 100, the top surface of the conductive pattern 220 may bedisposed between the k-th gate pattern and the k+1st gate pattern (k isa natural number smaller than n).

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the top surface of the conductivepattern 220 may be higher than the top surface of the first gate patternWL0 and may be lower than the top surface of the second gate patternWL1. However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto, andthe top surface of the conductive pattern 220 may be freely adjustedwithin a range between the top surface of the substrate 100 and the topsurfaces of the channel structure 120 and 130. For example, the topsurface of the conductive pattern 220 may be higher than the top surfaceof the ground selection line GSL but lower than the top surface of thefirst gate pattern WL0.

The conductive pattern 220 may include a metallic material or a metalliccompound. For example, the conductive pattern 220 may contain tungsten(W). However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto, andfor example, may contain at least one of polysilicon, a metal silicidecompound, a conductive metal nitride and metals.

The insulating layer 230 may be formed on the conductive pattern 220within the first trench 201. The insulating layer 230 is in contact withthe top surface of the conductive pattern 220 and may be formed alongthe side surfaces of the electrode structure 110. The top surface of theinsulating layer 230 may be located on the same plane as the top surfaceof the channel pad 135 or the top surface of the electrode structure110. The insulating layer 230 may be formed of a material having adielectric constant. In some embodiments of the present inventiveconcept, the insulating layer 230, for example, may be made of amaterial such as HfO2, Al2O3, ZrO2 and TaO2, but the present inventiveconcept is not limited thereto.

The spacer 210 is disposed between the conductive pattern 220 and theelectrode structure 110 and between the insulating layer 230 and theelectrode structure 110. A spacer 210 may be formed along the sidesurfaces of the conductive pattern 220 and the side surfaces of theinsulating layer 230. The spacer 210 may be formed to wrap theconductive pattern 220 and the insulating layer 230. The spacer 210 maybe conformally formed along the side surfaces of the electrode structure110. The top surface of the spacer 210 may be located on the same planeas the top surface of the channel pad 135, the top surface of theelectrode structure 110 or the top surface of the insulating layer 230.The spacer 210 includes at least one insulating material, e.g., siliconoxide.

The spacer 210 may be formed along the side walls of the first trench201. The bottom surface of the spacer 210 may be formed to be lower thanthe top surface of the substrate 100. However, the bottom surface of thespacer 210 may be formed to be higher than the bottom surface of theconductive pattern 220.

A first interlayer insulating film 170 may be formed to cover thechannel structures 120 and 130, the channel pad 135, the electrodestructure 110 and the insulating layer 230. The first interlayerinsulating film 170 may take charge of the electrical insulation betweensemiconductor devices located below the first interlayer insulating film170 and semiconductor elements located above the first interlayerinsulating film 170.

The first interlayer insulating film 170 may be formed, using siliconoxide such as borosilicate glass (BSG), phosphosilicate glass (PSG),borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG), undoped silicate glass (USG),tetraethylorthosilicate glass (TEOS) or a high-density plasma-CVD(HDP-CVD).

The metal contact structures 310 and 315 may be formed to come intocontact with the top surface of the conductive pattern 220 through thefirst interlayer insulating film 170 and the insulating layer 230. Themetal contact structures 310 and 315 may include a metal contact 315 anda first barrier metal 310.

The first barrier metal 310 may be formed along the side surface of theinsulating layer 230 and the top surface of the conductive pattern 220.The first barrier metal 310 may be conformally formed on the innersurface of the second trench 203. That is, the first barrier metal 310may be formed on both side surfaces and the bottom surface of the secondtrench 203 with a constant thickness. Otherwise, although it is notclearly illustrated in the drawings, the first barrier metal 310 mayalso be formed only on the bottom surface of the second trench 203 witha constant thickness. The first barrier metal 310 may contain titanium(Ti), titanium nitride (TiN) or tungsten nitride (WN). The first barriermetal 310 may be formed using PVD, CVD or ILD methods. However, thepresent inventive concept is not limited thereto.

The metal contact 315 may be formed on the first barrier metal 310. Themetal contact 315 may be formed to embed the second trench 203. Themetal contact 315 may be electrically connected to the conductivepattern 220. The metal contact 315 may include a metallic material or ametallic compound. For example, the metal contact 315 may containtungsten (W). However, the present inventive concept is not limitedthereto, and for example, may contain at least one of polysilicon, ametal silicide compound, a conductive metal nitride and metals.

The bottom surfaces of the metal contact structures 310 and 315 may beformed to be lower than the top surfaces of the channel structures 120and 130. The reason is that the top surface of the conductive pattern220 and the bottom surfaces of the metal contact structure 310 and 315are disposed on the same plane. The metal contact 315 may be formedtogether in a process of forming the metal contact 315 included in aPERI region around the memory block. However, the present inventiveconcept is not limited thereto.

The second interlayer insulating film 180 may be formed to cover thefirst interlayer insulating film 170. The second interlayer insulatingfilm 180 may take charge of the electrical insulation between thesemiconductor elements located below the second interlayer insulatingfilm 180 and the semiconductor elements located above the secondinterlayer insulating film 180. The second interlayer insulating film180 may include the same material as the first interlayer insulatingfilm 170, but the present inventive concept is not limited thereto.

A first conductive stud 325 may be formed on the metal contactstructures 310 and 315. The first conductive stud 325 may be formed in athird trench 205. At this time, the third trench 205 may be formed topartially expose the metal contact structures 310 and 315. Thus, thefirst conductive stud 325 may be formed to penetrate through the secondinterlayer insulating film 180. The first conductive stud 325 maycontain tungsten (W). However, the present inventive concept is notlimited thereto, and may contain, for example, at least one ofpolysilicon, a metal silicide compound, a conductive metal nitride andmetals.

A second barrier metal 320 may be formed between the first conductivestud 325 and the third trench 205. The second barrier metal 320 may beconformally formed on the inner surface of the third trench. That is,the second barrier metal 320 may be formed on both side surfaces and thebottom surface of the third trench 205 with a constant thickness.Otherwise, although it is not clearly illustrated in the drawings, thesecond barrier metal 320 may be formed only on the bottom surface of thethird trench at a certain thickness. The second barrier metal 320 maycontain titanium (Ti), titanium nitride (TiN) or tungsten nitride (WN).The second barrier metal 320 may be formed using PVD, CVD or ILDmethods. However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto.

The channel structures 120 and 130 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be dummychannel structures DM1 and DM2. The conductive stud is not disposed onthe top surfaces of the dummy channel structures DM1, DM2. Thus, thedummy channel structures DM1 and DM2 do not operate as a channel.

Meanwhile, the channel structures 120 and 130 illustrated in FIG. 4 maybe active channel structures C1 and C2. A second conductive stud 425 anda third barrier metal 420 may be formed on the active channel structuresC1 and C2. Although it is not clearly illustrated in the drawings, thesecond conductive stud 425 may electrically connect the active-channelstructures C1 and C2 and the other node through the wirings.

The second conductive stud 425 may be formed on the active channelstructures C1 and C2. However, the second conductive stud 425 may not beformed on the dummy channel structures DM1 and DM2.

The second conductive stud 425 may be formed in the fourth trench 207.At this time, a fourth trench 207 may be formed to expose a part of theactive channel structures C1 and C2. Thus, the second conductive stud425 may be formed to penetrate through the first interlayer insulatingfilm 170 and the second interlayer insulating film 180. The secondconductive stud 425 may be made of the same material as the firstconductive stud 325. That is, the first conductive stud 325 and thesecond conductive stud 425 may be formed through the same process.However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto.

A third barrier metal 420 may be formed between the second conductivestud 425 and the fourth trench 207. The third barrier metal 420 may beconformally formed on the inner surface of the fourth trench. That is,the third barrier metal 420 may be formed on both side surfaces and thebottom surface of the fourth trench 207 with a constant thickness.Otherwise, although it is not clearly illustrated in the drawings, thethird barrier metal 420 may be formed only on the bottom surface of thefourth trench with a constant thickness. The third barrier metal 420 maybe made of the same material as the second barrier metal 320. That is,the second barrier metal 320 and the third barrier metal 420 may beformed through the same process. However, the present inventive conceptis not limited thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the metal contact structures 310 and 315may be located closest to dummy channel structures DM1 and DM2 of theplurality of channel structures 120 and 130. That is, a distance betweenthe metal contact structures 310 and 315 and the dummy channelstructures DM1 and DM2 (e.g., DM1) may be smaller than a distancebetween the metal contact structures 310 and 315 and the active channelstructures C1 and C2 (e.g., C3). In other words, the channel structures120 and 130 close to the metal contact structures 310 and 315 may beused as dummy channel structures DM1 and DM2. However, the presentinventive concept is not limited thereto.

A plurality of channel structures 120 and 130 may be disposed in ahoneycomb shape. That is, a plurality of adjacent channel structures 120and 130 may be continuously arranged in a hexagonal shape.

When the plurality of channel structures 120 and 130 includes first tofourth channel structures (C3, C1, C4 and DM1), the first channelstructure C3 may be disposed to be located at the same distance L1 asthe second to fourth channel structures (C1, C4 and DM1).

The conductive pattern 220 may extend long in a direction parallel tothe substrate 100 on the X-Y plane, and the plurality of channelstructures 120 and 130 may be symmetrically disposed about theconductive pattern 220.

In the case of the related art, the top surface of the conductivepattern is formed to be the same as or higher than the top surface ofthe channel structure. Accordingly, the conductive pattern is formedvertically long and is also formed long on the left and right sides in aline pattern. A phenomenon in which an F-gas is concentrated in oneplace through the slit area within the conductive pattern frequentlyoccurs in this process, and a case where HF generated in this processetches tungsten (W) or ONO occurs. This acts as a factor of increasing afailure rate of the non-volatile memory device. Further, the line typeconductive pattern also acts as a factor of increasing the stress.

Thus, according to the present exemplary implementations of thedisclosed subject matter, the slit area and the F-gas are removed bypartially removing the top of the conductive pattern after generatingthe conductive pattern. That is, the top of the conductive pattern isetched so that the height of the conductive pattern is lower than thetop surface of the channel structure. Also, a metal contact structurethat takes charge of the electrical connection between the conductivestud and the conductive pattern is added.

Some exemplary implementations can remove the slit area of theconductive pattern formed by the F-gas and reduce the stress applied bythe conductive pattern. Thus, the exemplary implementations have theeffect of reducing the failure rate of the non-volatile memory deviceand improving the performance.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views for explaining some applicationexamples of the non-volatile memory device according to exemplaryimplementations. FIGS. 7 and 8 may provide other examples to be used inplace of the non-volatile memory cell TS1 illustrated in FIG. 6. Forconvenience of description, differences from the description of FIG. 6will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the application example of the non-volatilememory device according to some exemplary implementations, a tunnellayer 121, a trap layer 122 and a block layer 114 may be formed on theside walls of the channel pattern 130. The tunnel layer 121, the traplayer 122 and the block layer 114 may be disposed along the lengthwisedirection of the channel pattern 130. More specifically, the tunnellayer 121, the trap layer 122 and the block layer 114 may be formedalong the channel pattern 130 to penetrate through the plurality ofinsulation patterns 112.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in some application examples of thenon-volatile memory device according to some exemplary implementations,the tunnel layer 121, the trap layer 122 and the block layer 114 may bedisposed between the insulation pattern (112 a in FIG. 8) disposed onthe upper side and the gate pattern (WL1 in FIG. 8), between theinsulation pattern (112 b in FIG. 8) disposed on the lower side and thegate pattern WL1, and between the channel pattern 130 and the patternWL1. That is, the tunnel layer 121, the trap layer 122 and the blocklayer 114 may be conformally formed depending on the shapes of theinsulation patterns 112 a and 112 b and the channel pattern 130.However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a non-volatile memorydevice according to some exemplary implementations. FIG. 10 is across-sectional view for illustrating a non-volatile memory deviceaccording to some exemplary implementations. For convenience ofdescription, hereinafter, the repeated description of the same mattersas in the above-described example will be omitted, and the differenceswill be mainly described.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, non-volatile memory devices 2 a and 2 baccording to some exemplary implementations may be configured andoperated substantially in the same manner as the non-volatile memorydevice 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

However, the height of the top surface of the conductive pattern 220 andthe height of the bottom surface of the metal contact structures 310 and315 may vary. Since the top surface of the conductive pattern 220 andthe bottom surfaces of the metal contact structures 310 and 315 aredisposed on the same plane, the description will be provided based onthe top surface of the conductive pattern 220.

The top surface of the conductive pattern 220 is higher than the topsurface of the substrate 100, and may vary within a range lower than thetop surface of the channel structures 120 and 130.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the top surface of the conductivepattern 220 is higher than the top surface of the substrate 100, and maybe located below the gate pattern included in the electrode structure110. That is, a height D41 of the conductive pattern 220 may be largerthan a height D32 between the top surface of the substrate 100 and thebottom surface of the conductive pattern 220.

As still another example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the electrodestructure 110 includes first to n-th gate patterns (WL0 to WLn) that aresequentially laminated in a direction away from the substrate 100, thetop surface of the conductive pattern 220 may be disposed between thek-th gate pattern and k+1st gate pattern (k is a natural number smallerthan n). For example, the top surface of the conductive pattern 220 maybe higher than the top surface of the second gate pattern WL1 and may belower than the top surface of the third gate pattern WL2. As a result,the height D42 of the conductive pattern 220 may be larger than theheight D32 between the top surface of the substrate 100 and the bottomsurface of the conductive pattern 220.

Further, the top surface of the conductive pattern 220 may be formed tooverlap the second gate pattern WL1 to be lower than the top surface ofthe second gate pattern WL1 and higher than the bottom surface of thesecond gate pattern WL1. However, the present inventive concept is notlimited thereto.

The bottom surface of the spacer 210 may be formed to be higher than thebottom surface of the conductive pattern 220. That is, a spacer may bepresent between the bottom surface of the spacer 210 and the bottomsurface of the conductive pattern 220. For example, on the basis of thetop surface of the substrate 100, a depth D31 to the bottom surface ofthe spacer 210 may be smaller than a depth D32 to the bottom surface ofthe conductive pattern 220.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating the non-volatilememory device according to some exemplary implementations. Forconvenience of description, hereinafter, the repeated description of thesame matters as in the above-described example will be omitted, and thedifferences will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 11, a non-volatile memory device 3 according to someembodiments of the present inventive concept may be configured andoperated substantially in the same manner as the non-volatile memorydevice 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

However, the first conductive stud 325 and the metal contact 315 of themetal contact structures 310 and 315 may be integrally formed.Accordingly, the third conductive stud 435 may be electrically connectedto the conductive pattern 220 through the first interlayer insulatingfilm 170 and the second interlayer insulating film 180.

Specifically, a fifth trench 209 may be formed through the firstinterlayer insulating film 170 and the second interlayer insulating film180 so as to expose a part of the top surface of the conductive pattern220.

The fourth barrier metal 430 may be conformally formed on the innersurface of the fourth trench. That is, the fourth barrier metal 430 maybe formed along the side surfaces of the insulating layer 230, the topsurface of the conductive pattern 220, the side surfaces of the firstinterlayer insulating film 170 and the side surfaces of the secondinterlayer insulating film 180. The fourth barrier metal 430 may beformed on both side surfaces and the bottom surface of the fifth trench209 with a constant thickness. The fourth barrier metal 430 includes thesame material as the third barrier metal 420 and may be formed in thesame process.

The third conductive stud 435 may be formed on the fourth barrier metal430. The third conductive stud 435 may be formed to embed the fifthtrench 209. The third conductive stud 435 may be electrically connectedto the conductive pattern 220. The third conductive stud 435 includesthe same material as the second conductive studs 425 and may be formedin the same process. However, the present inventive concept is notlimited thereto.

FIG. 12 is a layout diagram for explaining a non-volatile memory deviceaccording to some exemplary implementations. FIG. 13 is across-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 12. Forconvenience of description, hereinafter, the repeated description of thesame matters as in the above-described example will be omitted, and thedifferences will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 12, a non-volatile memory device 4 according to someexemplary implementations may be configured and operated substantiallyin the same manner as the non-volatile memory device 1 described withreference to FIGS. 1 to 8. Thus, each of the cross-sections taken alongthe line B-B and the line C-C may be the same as those of FIGS. 4 and 5.

However, the conductive pattern 220 may include a first portion 221including the metal contact 315, and a second portion 222 adjacent tothe first portion 221. The second portion 222 may correspond to bothside surfaces of the first portion 221. At this time, a width W3 of thefirst portion 221 measured in a first direction parallel to the topsurface of the substrate 100 may be formed to be larger than a width W4of the second portion 222 measured in the first direction. That is, thefirst portion 221 may be convexly formed in the X-Y plane and may beformed to have a thickness different from the second portion 222adjacent to the first portion 221.

Thus, a distance L2 between the channel structure (e.g., DM1) closest tothe first portion 221 and the first portion 221 may be smaller than adistance L3 between the channel structure (e.g., C4) closest to thesecond portion 222 and the second portion 222. However, the presentinventive concept is not limited thereto.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 13, the width W2 of the bottom surface of theconductive pattern 220 may be formed to be larger than the width W1 ofthe bottom surface of the conductive pattern 220 illustrated in FIG. 3.Further, the width of the insulating layer 230 between the spacer 210and the metal contact structures 310 and 315 and the widths of the metalcontact structures 310 and 315 may also be formed to be larger thanthose of the non-volatile memory device illustrated in FIG. 3. However,the present inventive concept is not limited thereto.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram for illustrating a memory system according tosome embodiments of the present inventive concept.

As shown in FIG. 14, a memory system 1000 includes a non-volatile memorydevice 1100 and a controller 1200.

The non-volatile memory device 1100 may be at least one of thenon-volatile memory device according to some exemplary implementationsdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.

The controller 1200 is connected to a host and a non-volatile memorydevice 1100. The controller 1200 is configured to access thenon-volatile memory device 1100 in response to a request from a host.For example, the controller 1200 is configured to control the operationsof read, write, erase and background of the non-volatile memory device1100. The controller 1200 is configured to provide an interface betweenthe non-volatile memory device 1100 and the host. The controller 1200 isconfigured to drive a firmware for controlling the non-volatile memorydevice 1100.

As an example, the controller 1200 further includes well-knownconstituent elements such as a random access memory (RAM), a processingunit, a host interface and a memory interface. The RAM is used as atleast as one of an operating memory of the processing unit, a cachememory between the non-volatile memory device 1100 and the host, and abuffer memory between the non-volatile memory device 1100 and the host.The processing unit controls various operations of the controller 1200.

The host interface includes a protocol for performing a data exchangebetween the host and the controller 1200. As an example, the controller1200 is configured to communicate with outside (host) through at leastone of various interface protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB)protocol, a multimedia card (MMC) protocol, a peripheral componentinterconnection (PCI) protocol, a PCI-express (PCI-E) protocol, anadvanced technology attachment (ATA) protocol, a serial-ATA protocol, aparallel-ATA protocol, a small computer small interface (SCSI) protocol,an enhanced small disk interface (ESDI) protocol and an integrated driveelectronic (IDE) protocol. The memory interface interfaces with thenon-volatile memory device 1100. For example, the memory interfaceincludes a NAND interface or a NOR interface.

The memory system 1000 may be configured to further include an errorcorrection block. The error correction block is configured to detect andcorrect an error of data that is read from the non-volatile memorydevice 1100, using an error correction code ECC. As an example, theerror correction block is provided as a constituent element of thecontroller 1200. The error correction block may be provided as acomponent of the non-volatile memory device 1100.

The controller 1200 and the non-volatile memory device 1100 may beintegrated as a single semiconductor device. As an example, thecontroller 1200 and the non-volatile memory device 1100 may beintegrated as a single semiconductor device to constitute a memory card.For example, the controller 1200 and the non-volatile memory device 1100is integrated as a single semiconductor device to constitute a memorycard, such as a PC card (personal computer memory card internationalassociation: PCMCIA), a compact flash card (CF), a smart media card (SMand SMC), a memory stick, a multimedia card (MMC, RS-MMC and MMCmicro),a SD card (SD, mini SD, microSD and SDHC) and a universal flash storagedevice (UFS).

The controller 1200 and the non-volatile memory device 1100 may beintegrated as a single semiconductor device to constitute asemiconductor drive (solid state drive: SSD). The semiconductor driveSSD includes a storage device configured to store data in thesemiconductor memory. When the memory system 10 is utilized as thesemiconductor drive SSD, the operating speed of the host connected tothe memory system 1000 is greatly improved.

As another example, the memory system 1000 is provided as one of variousconstituent elements of an electronic device, such as a computer, anUltra Mobile PC (UMPC), a work station, a net-book computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a web tablet, a wirelessphone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, an e-book, a portable multimediaplayer (PMP), a portable game console, a navigation device, a black box,a digital camera, a 3-dimensional television set, a digital audiorecorder, a digital audio player, a digital picture recorder, a digitalpicture player, a digital video recorder, a digital video player,devices capable of transmitting and receiving information in a wirelessenvironment, one of various electronic devices constituting a homenetwork, one of various electronic devices constituting a computernetwork, one of various electronic devices constituting a telematicsnetwork, electronic devices, an RFID device or one of various componentsconstituting a computing system.

As an example, the non-volatile memory device 1100 or the memory system1000 may be mounted as various forms of packages. For example, thenon-volatile memory device 1100 or the memory system 1000 may bepackaged and mounted, by methods such as Package on Package (PoP), Ballgrid arrays (BGAs), Chip scale packages (CSPs), Plastic Leaded ChipCarrier (PLCC), Plastic Dual In Line Package (PDIP), Die in Waffle Pack,Die in Wafer Form, Chip On Board (COB), Ceramic Dual In Line Package(CERDIP), Plastic Metric Quad Flat Pack (MQFP), Thin Quad Flatpack(TQFP), Small Outline (SOIC), Shrink Small Outline Package (SSOP), ThinSmall Outline (TSOP), Thin Quad Flatpack (TQFP), System In Package(SIP), Multi Chip Package (MCP), Wafer-Level Fabricated Package (WFP)and Wafer-Level Processed Stack Package (WSP).

FIGS. 15 through 25 are intermediate step diagrams for illustrating amethod of manufacturing a non-volatile memory device according to someexemplary implementations. Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing thenon-volatile memory device according to some exemplary implementationswill be described with reference to FIGS. 15 through 25.

First, as shown in FIG. 15, the channel structures 120 and 130 and theelectrode structure 110 are formed on the substrate 100. As a method forforming the channel structures 120 and 130 and the electrode structure110, it is possible to use a method of manufacturing a three-dimensionalnon-volatile memory device disclosed in the related art.

Next, the first trench 201 that partially exposes the substrate 100through the electrode structure 110 is formed. The bottom surface of thefirst trench 201 may be formed to be lower than the top surface of thesubstrate 100. The first trench 201 may be disposed between theplurality of channel structures 120 and 130, and may partially exposethe gate pattern and the block layer 114 included in the electrodestructure 110. The first trench 201 may have a tapered shape in whichits width becomes wider as it goes from the top to the bottom.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, a spacer layer 210L is conformally formedalong the side surfaces and bottom surface of the first trench 201. Thespacer layer 210L may contain at least one insulating material, e.g.,silicon oxide.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, through the etching process, the spacer layer210L disposed on the bottom surface of the first trench 201 and the topsurfaces of the channel structures 120 and 130 and the electrodestructure 110 is removed. The bottom surface of the first trench 201 maybe formed to be deeper than the bottom surface of the spacer 210 in theetching process. Therefore, a further step may occur on the bottomsurface of the first trench 201. Both the anisotropic etching and theisotropic etching may be used in the etching process, but the presentinventive concept is not limited thereto. Thus, the spacer 210 may beleft only on the side walls of the electrode structure 110.

Next, referring to FIG. 18, the conductive layer 220L is formed in thefirst trench 201. The conductive layer 220L is located on the spacer 210and may extend long along the top surface of the spacer 210, and mayfill up the bottom of the first trench 201. The conductive layer 220Lfills up only the bottom of the first trench 201 and may not completelyfill up the top of the first trench 201.

The conductive layer 220L may contain a metallic material or a metalliccompound. For example, the conductive pattern 220 may contain tungsten(W). However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto, andfor example, the conductive pattern may contain at least one ofpolysilicon, a metal silicide compound, a conductive metal nitride andmetal.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, a conductive pattern 220 is formed bypartially etching the conductive layer 220L through the etching process.The conductive pattern 220 may be located only in the lower part of thefirst trench 201. In the etching process, both the anisotropic etchingand the isotropic etching may be used, and both the dry etching and thewet etching may be used.

Thus, the top surface of the conductive pattern 220 is formed to behigher than the top surface of the substrate 100 and may be formed to belower than the top surfaces of the channel structures 120 and 130.

Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the insulating layer 230 that fills up thefirst trench 201 is formed. The insulating layer 230 may be formed onthe conductive pattern 220 within the first trench 201. The insulatinglayer 230 is in contact with the top surface of the conductive pattern220 and may be formed along the side surfaces of the electrode structure110. Next, a planarization process (e.g., a CMP process) is performed sothat the top surface of the insulating layer 230 and the top surface ofthe electrode structure 110 are parallel to each other. Thus, the topsurface of the insulating layer 230 may be located on the same plane asthe top surface of the channel pad 135 or the top surface of theelectrode structure 110. The insulating layer 230 may be made of amaterial having a dielectric constant. In some embodiments of thepresent inventive concept, the insulating layer 230, for example, may bemade of a material, such as HfO2, Al2O3, ZrO2 and TaO2, but the presentinventive concept is not limited thereto.

Next, a first interlayer insulating film 170 that covers the channelstructures 120 and 130, the channel pad 135, the electrode structure 110and the insulating layer 230 is formed. The first interlayer insulatingfilm 170 may take charge of the electrical insulation between thesemiconductor elements located below the first interlayer insulatingfilm 170 and the semiconductor elements located above the firstinterlayer insulating film 170.

Next, as shown in FIG. 21, a second trench 203 that partially exposes ofthe top surface of the conductive pattern 220 is formed through thefirst interlayer insulating film 170 and the insulating layer 230.

Next, as shown in FIG. 22, the first barrier metal layer 310Lconformally formed along the inner surface of the second trench isformed. The first barrier metal layer 310L may contain titanium (Ti),titanium nitride (TiN) or tungsten nitride (WN). The first barrier metallayer 310L may be formed using PVD, CVD or ILD methods. However, thepresent inventive concept is not limited thereto.

Next, the metal contact layer 315L is formed on the first barrier metallayer 310L. The metal contact layer 315L may be formed to embed thesecond trench 203. The metal contact layer 315L may be electricallyconnected to the conductive pattern 220. The metal contact layer 315Lmay contain a metallic material or a metallic compound. For example, themetal contact layer 315L may contain tungsten (W). However, the presentinventive concept is not limited thereto, and for example, may containat least one of polysilicon, a metal silicide compound, a conductivemetal nitride and metals.

Next, as shown in FIG. 23, a planarization process (e.g., a CMP process)is performed so that the top surface of the first interlayer insulatingfilm 170 and the top surface of the metal contact 315 are parallel toeach other. Thus, the top surface of the metal contact 315 layer and thetop surface of the first interlayer insulating film 170 are located onthe same plane.

Next, a second interlayer insulating film 180 that covers the firstinterlayer insulating film 170 is formed. The second interlayerinsulating film 180 may take charge of the electrical insulation betweenthe semiconductor elements located below the second interlayerinsulating film 180 and the semiconductor elements located above thesecond interlayer insulating film 180. The second interlayer insulatingfilm 180 may contain the same material as the first interlayerinsulating film 170, but the present inventive concept is not limitedthereto.

Next, as shown in FIG. 24, a third trench 205 that partially exposes themetal contact 315 is formed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 25, a second barrier metal layer 320L conformallyformed along the inner surface of the third trench is formed. The secondbarrier metal layer 320L may contain titanium (Ti), titanium nitride(TiN) or tungsten nitride (WN). The second barrier metal layer 320L maybe formed using PVD, CVD or ILD methods. However, the present inventiveconcept is not limited thereto.

Next, the first conductive stud layer 325L is formed on the secondbarrier metal layer 320L. The first conductive stud layer 325L may beformed to embed the third trench 205. The first conductive stud layer325L may be electrically connected to the conductive pattern 220. Thefirst conductive stud layer 325L may contain a metallic material or ametallic compound. For example, the first conductive stud layer 325L maycontain tungsten (W). However, the present inventive concept is notlimited thereto, and for example, the first conductive stud layer maycontain at least one of polysilicon, a metal silicide compound, aconductive metal nitride and metals.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, a planarization process (e.g., a CMP process)is performed so that the top surface of the second interlayer insulatingfilm 180 and the top surface of the first conductive stud 325 areparallel to each other. Thus, the top surface of the first conductivestud 325 and the top surface of the second interlayer insulating film180 are also located on the same plane.

Consequently, the height of the conductive pattern 220 is formed to belower than the top surfaces of the channel structures 120 and 130, andthe metal contact 315 may be disposed between the first conductive stud325 and the conductive pattern 220. Thus, the non-volatile memory deviceaccording to some embodiments of the present inventive concept mayremove the slit area in the conductive pattern formed by the F-gas toreduce the stress applied by the conductive pattern. Moreover, it ispossible to have an effect of reducing the failure rate of thenon-volatile memory device and improving performance.

While the present inventive concept has been particularly illustratedand described with reference to exemplary implementations thereof, itwill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that variouschanges in form and detail may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present inventive concept as defined by thefollowing claims. The exemplary implementations should be considered ina descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-volatile memory device comprising: achannel structure that is located on a substrate and extendsperpendicularly to the substrate; a conductive pattern that extendsperpendicularly to the substrate and is spaced apart from the channelstructure; an electrode structure that is located between the channelstructure and the conductive pattern, and comprises a plurality of gatepatterns and a plurality of insulation patterns that are alternatelylaminated; and an insulating layer that is in contact with a top surfaceof the conductive pattern and is formed along side surfaces of theelectrode structure, wherein the top surface of the conductive patternis formed to be lower than the top surface of the channel structure. 2.The non-volatile memory device of claim 1, wherein the top surface ofthe conductive pattern is formed to be higher than the top surface ofthe substrate.
 3. The non-volatile memory device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a spacer that is disposed between the conductive pattern andthe electrode structure and is formed along side surfaces of theconductive pattern and side surfaces of the insulating layer, and abottom surface of the conductive pattern is formed to be lower than abottom surface of the spacer.
 4. The non-volatile memory device of claim1, wherein the plurality of gate patterns comprises first to n-th gatepatterns (n is a natural number) that are sequentially laminated in adirection away from the substrate, and a top surface of the conductivepattern is disposed between the k-th gate pattern (k is a natural numbersmaller than n) and the k+1st gate pattern.
 5. The non-volatile memorydevice of claim 1, further comprising: a first interlayer insulatingfilm that covers the channel structure and the electrode structure; anda metal contact structure that is in contact with the top surface of theconductive pattern through the first interlayer insulating film.
 6. Thenon-volatile memory device of claim 5, further comprising: a secondinterlayer insulating film that covers the first insulating interlayerfilm; a first conductive stud that is disposed on the metal contactstructure through the second interlayer insulating film; and a secondconductive stud that is disposed on the channel structure through thefirst and second interlayer insulating films.
 7. The non-volatile memorydevice of claim 6, wherein the first conductive stud and the metalcontact of the metal contact structure are integrally formed.
 8. Anon-volatile memory device comprising: a plurality of channel structuresthat is located on a substrate and extends perpendicularly to thesubstrate; a conductive pattern that extends perpendicularly to thesubstrate and is spaced apart from the channel structure; a firstinterlayer insulating film that covers a plurality of channel structuresand the conductive pattern; and a metal contact that is disposed on theconductive pattern, is electrically connected to the conductive pattern,passes through the first interlayer insulating film, and has a bottomsurface formed to be lower than top surfaces of the plurality of channelstructures.
 9. The non-volatile memory device of claim 8, wherein a topsurface of the conductive pattern is formed to be higher than a topsurface of the substrate and to be lower than the top surfaces of theplurality of channel structures.
 10. The non-volatile memory device ofclaim 8, wherein the plurality of channel structures are disposed in ahoneycomb pattern.
 11. The non-volatile memory device of claim 8,wherein the plurality of channel structures comprises a dummy channelstructure and an active channel structure, and the dummy channelstructure closest to the metal contact is disposed to be closer to themetal contact than the active channel structure.
 12. The non-volatilememory device of claim 8, wherein the conductive pattern comprises afirst portion including the metal contact, and a second portion adjacentto the first portion, and a width of the first portion measured in afirst direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate is largerthan a width of the second portion measured in the first direction. 13.A non-volatile memory device comprising: first and second channelstructures that are located on a substrate and extend perpendicularly tothe substrate; a conductive pattern that extends perpendicularly to thesubstrate and is spaced apart from the channel structures; a firstinterlayer insulating film that covers the plurality of channelstructures and the conductive pattern; a second interlayer insulatingfilm that covers the first interlayer insulating film; a metal contactthat is disposed on the conductive pattern and penetrates through thefirst interlayer insulating film; a first conductive stud that isdisposed on the metal contact, penetrates through the second interlayerinsulating film and is electrically connected to the conductive pattern;and a second conductive stud that is disposed only on the first channelstructure, is not disposed on the second channel structure andpenetrates through the first and second interlayer insulating films. 14.The non-volatile memory device of claim 13, wherein a distance betweenthe first channel structure and the metal contact is larger than adistance between the first channel structure and the metal contact. 15.The non-volatile memory device of claim 13, wherein the top surface ofthe conductive pattern is formed to be lower than the top surface of thechannel structure.
 16. A non-volatile memory device comprising: avertical NAND string that is located on a substrate and extendsperpendicularly to the substrate, the vertical NAND string comprising aplurality of serially connected memory cells; and a common source linethat is spaced apart from the vertical NAND string, and that extendsperpendicularly from a first location in contact with the substrate to asecond location at least as high the top of the vertical NAND string,the common source line comprising a conductive pattern extending fromthe first location to a height at least as high as a first memory cellof the plurality of serially connected memory cells and a metal contactelectrically connected to the conductive pattern and extending from thesecond location to a depth of a portion of the vertical NAND string. 17.The non-volatile memory device of claim 16, further comprising anelectrode structure that is located between the vertical NAND string andthe common source line, and comprises a plurality of gate patterns and aplurality of insulation patterns that are alternately laminated abovethe substrate, wherein the height of the first location above thesubstrate is at a height below the third gate pattern of said electrodestructure.
 18. The non-volatile memory device of claim 17, furthercomprising an insulating layer that contacts with a top surface of thecommon source line and is formed along side surfaces of the electrodestructure.
 19. The non-volatile memory device of claim 17, furthercomprising: a first interlayer insulating film that covers the verticalNAND string and the electrode structure, wherein the metal contactstructure extends through the first interlayer insulating film andcontacts the top surface of the conductive pattern.
 20. The non-volatilememory device of claim 19, wherein the common source line is formedwithin a contact hole extending at least between the second location tothe first location
 21. A non-volatile memory device comprising: achannel disposed on a substrate and extending in a first direction thatis substantially perpendicular to the substrate; a first conductivepattern contacting the substrate and extending in the first direction,the first conductive pattern spaced apart from the channel, wherein thefirst conductive pattern is a line type extending in a second directionthat is substantially perpendicular with respect to the first direction;a second conductive pattern disposed on the first conductive pattern; aplurality of electrodes stacked in the first direction comprising afirst electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode disposedbetween the channel and the first conductive pattern, the secondelectrode disposed between the channel and the second conductivepattern; a first barrier layer extending in the first direction along aside of the first conductive pattern and a side of the second conductivepattern; and a second barrier layer extending in the first directionalong the side of the second conductive pattern, wherein the secondelectrode is the top most electrode among the plurality of electrodesand a bottom surface of the second conductive pattern is disposed lowerthan a bottom surface of the second electrode.
 22. A non-volatile memorydevice comprising: a vertical NAND string that is disposed on asubstrate and extends substantially perpendicularly to the substrate,the vertical NAND string comprising a plurality of word lines, a StringSelection Line (SSL) and a Ground Selection Line (GSL); and a commonsource line that is spaced apart from the vertical NAND string, and thatextends substantially perpendicularly from a first end in contact withthe substrate to a second end disposed under a bottom surface of theSSL, wherein the common source line comprises polysilicon.